10 States with the Highest Muslim Population in the US

Islam ranks as the third-largest religion in the United States, following Christianity and Judaism. According to the latest studies, there are about 4.45 million Muslims in the country, accounting for approximately 1% of the total population. Muslim population in the US has been on the rise for more than a decade due to high fertility rates and migration of Muslims into the country. Consequently, the number of mosques has more than doubled during the last two decades. The Muslim population in the US increased significantly during the twentieth century. About 1.7 million Muslims became legal permanent residents of the US within a span of just over two decades from 1991 to 2012. About 72% of American Muslims are immigrants or a part of the “second generation.” They are also America’s youngest religious community, with approximately a quarter aged between 18 and 24 years. Muslim Americans make up one of the most racially diverse religious communities in the country, with 25% blacks, 24% whites, 18% Asians, 18% Arabs, 7% mixed races, and 5% Hispanics. However, the majority of Muslims are immigrants, with 58% being born outside the USA. The Muslim population is also substantially dispersed in the country, with Virginia and Arizona being amongst the states with the highest Muslim population in the US. A study by the Pew Research Center forecasts that the number of Muslims in the US will reach 8.1 million or 2.1% of the total population by 2050, making Islam the second largest religion in the country. You can also check out the 25 Countries where Muslim Population will Increase the Most by 2050 here.

Despite being a minority, Muslims in the United States are finding success within society and are more optimistic, as per a survey by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU). Muslims in America have made a significant contribution to small businesses, which are crucial for the US economy. About 8% of Muslims have their own business and employ 8 other people, on average, which amounts to about 1.37 billion jobs. The number of Muslim-owned businesses has reached 96,000 in New York City and 36,000 in Michigan. Various databases show that American Muslim-owned businesses are primarily concentrated in New York, New Jersey, California, Illinois, Florida, and Michigan, with fewer such businesses in Alabama, Texas, or Tennessee. These Muslim entrepreneurs serve both the domestic and global “halal” economy with their products. The global halal market is huge, with Muslims spending $2 trillion on halal products in 2019 alone.  These products include halal food, modest fashion, media, and recreation, as well as halal pharmaceuticals, Muslim-friendly tourism, halal cosmetics, and Islamic finance. Notable businesses owned by Muslim Americans include Muzz (a Muslim matchmaking app), Launchgood (a crowdfunding platform for Muslim Entrepreneurship), and Splashgear (an apparel company providing modest watersports gear for Muslim women).

The rising Muslim population has also led to an increase in demand for Shariah-compliant stocks. These stocks are from businesses that conduct their activities in accordance with Shariah rules and refrain from gaining exposure to sectors like alcohol, tobacco, and gambling. As per the Islamic Finance Development Report 2021 by Refinitiv, the cumulative value of Islamic financial assets stood at $3.37 trillion by the end of 2020. This marked an increase from $2.96 trillion in the preceding year and from $2.2 trillion in 2015. Furthermore, the year 2021 observed a record launch of over 900 Islamic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) globally and attracted more than $1 trillion in net inflows. Some of the popular halal dividend stocks to buy include Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), and Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT).

Here’s what Appleseed Fund said about Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:

“During the most recent quarter, Appleseed Fund added three new equity holdings: Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT), Stanley Black & Decker (SWK), and Synovus Financial (SNV). Medtronic is the world’s largest device manufacturer, and it holds the number one or number two market share in most of its product segments. Medtronic’s business is heavily weighted towards complicated in-patient procedures, which are typically quite profitable. Industry dynamics are quite attractive with an aging global population and the growth of improved healthcare in emerging markets; furthermore, most of its segments are highly concentrated with just 2-3 players that split each segment’s market share, affording the key participants with significant economies of scale and pricing power. The Company has been recently addressing several temporary headwinds including a strong dollar, inflation, a delayed recovery in surgical volumes from the coronavirus pandemic, and supply chain issues. Once these issues reach the rearview mirror, the Company’s growth and margin expansion plans should transform into reality.”

Photo by Diane Picchiottino on Unsplash

Our Methodology

To shortlist the 10 states with the highest Muslim population in the US, we referred to data from the World Population Review. The states have been ranked in ascending order of the percentage of Muslim population. Additionally, we have included the total Muslim population figures to provide a clearer understanding of the density of the Muslim population in each of these states.

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 States with the Highest Muslim Population in the US

10. North Carolina

Percentage of Muslim Population: 1.3%

Total Muslim Population: 130,661

North Carolina’s Muslim community is diverse, including people from countries like Pakistan, Somalia, and Bangladesh, as well as those who converted to Islam. The state has many mosques that serve as places of worship and community activities for Muslims. The first mosque was built over 65 years ago, showing the long history of Muslims in North Carolina. As several Muslims live in North Carolina, universities located in the state, including Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, have developed specialized academic programs on Islamic Studies.

9. Arizona

Percentage of Muslim Population: 1.5%

Total Muslim Population: 109,765

In recent years, there has been rapid growth in the Muslim population within Arizona due to immigration and conversion. The Muslim community living in Arizona is quite diverse, with residents having roots in countries from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Muslims in Arizona have also become more involved in community activities and politics in the past decade.  The growth of the Muslim population in the state has led to the establishment of various mosques and Islamic centers, including the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix (ICCP) and Tempe Mosque.

8. Massachusetts

Percentage of Muslim Population: 1.9%

Total Muslim Population: 131,749

In Massachusetts, most Muslims live in the Greater Boston Area, where you can find various mosques, Islamic schools, and community organizations. Prominent Mosques and Muslim community centers in Massachusetts include The Islamic Center of New England (ICNE), The Islamic Society of Greater Worcester (ISGW), and The Muslim American Community Center of Lexington (MACCL). These organizations not only provide places of worship for Muslims in the area but also impart Islamic Education and host social events for the community. Massachusetts is in the eighth position on our list of the states with the highest Muslim population in the US.

7. Minnesota

Percentage of Muslim Population: 2%

Total Muslim Population: 114,590

With roots in various countries such as Bosnia, Somalia, and Iraq, the Muslims of Minnesota contribute to the state’s rich cultural diversity. The community includes Muslims from not only different cultures and backgrounds but different sects as well. Hence, there are many mosques and community centers in Minnesota catering to diverse cultural needs. Among these are the Dar Al-Hijrah Mosque in Minneapolis, the Islamic Community Center of Minnesota (ICCM), and MAS Minnesota.

6. Virginia

Percentage of Muslim Population: 2%

Total Muslim Population: 169,371         

The number of Muslims in Virginia rose during the 20^th century, particularly after the immigration from Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 1990s. With the growth of the Muslim community of Virginia, several mosques and Muslim cultural centers were built throughout the state. The proximity of Virginia to Washington, D.C. has attracted many Muslim immigrants to it. Reputed mosques and cultural centers of Virginia include Dar Al-Noor Islamic Community Center in Manassas, All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) in Sterling, and Islamic Society of Greater Richmond (ISGR).

The rising Muslim population in the US has also led to an increase in demand for popular halal dividend stocks such as Exxon Mobil Corporation, AbbVie Inc., and Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT).